It's Friday and we are one week closer to spring! I'm seeing those of you in warmer places starting to put your summer gardens into plan, sowing seeds, getting your starter kits ready to go. While that is not my world, I like to see it. I don't want time to keep moving so fast though, just want the nice parts to get here and last a bit longer. I gripe and gripe and gripe, I know, but winter is just too long in Minnesota. What should we discuss today?
Lingering Covid Effect?
I'd like to avoid Covid talk all together, but have a few comments. While I didn't get a bad case, mostly like a cold and then a lot of extra napping the first weekend, I'm finding now I have developed an irritating dry cough. I don't think I mentioned that my daughter, who had a rapid test in a clinic, then had the longer test also done, ended up getting emailed positive test results-over a week later. Likely she had Covid the week before and may be where I got it from. However, I didn't really spend time with her during what would have been her infectious period as she was out of town, then when she had a few symptoms, she stayed home. I only saw her briefly to drop off some soup, ginger ale, crackers, and bread she was asking for to help recuperate. Anyway, she too mentioned she developed a similar cough after what would have been the end of the isolation period. I think there is something to this longer term effect of Covid-so much different than just a cold. Its been irritating, but not debilitating, but I am paying attention to how I feel.
Ping Pong Weather
I know I already complained, but as the weather app described, we're going to have whiplash weather. I mentioned the -35 wind-chill with -17 actual temps the other day. Wednesday still felt bitter, and pup took his dear sweet time doing his business and my cheeks were raw, Well it warmed up to 29 yesterday, It felt down right tropical when I took pup out. Don't get too comfortable, because it dropped again to sub-zero temperatures last night, but we are supposed to get a week of nice weather. Tis is the time though I really hate walking at night because the day thaw seems to start freezing immediately once the sun goes down, and then little spots that are hard to see create ripe slipping and falling conditions. Poor pup did the icy patch dance last night in a section of the park path.
Housework
I must not neglect my house this week. Saturday morning I will have a list ready, music on, and I will push through until done. I used small breaks in my work day Thursday and will today for laundry so that won't be on my list. Every room needs a deep clean, with the exception of my office as I did that when I had the long weekend, but it needs a tidy. There's a few boxes left from unsure Christmas gifts, but I think those can go now as well. I was a bit appalled last Sunday when my daughter and friend stopped by and she complimented the vaulted ceilings and the wall between living room and kitchen I looked where she was looking to see a big cob web hanging from the high point of the vault! Since then, every where I look I am seeing neglect. Maybe this is where my cough is coming from.
Birthdays
Three siblings have birthdays in January. We have a small get together tomorrow afternoon. I will find some funny cards and our token gifts, usually consumable items as none of us want more stuff. I'll get a few scratch off cards as they all love a good gamble. If I am as industrious as I plan Saturday morning, I'll bake them each a loaf of pumpkin bread. Report to come. DH's brother also had a birthday and I have his gift already, but no idea when we will see him. They are still in the throws of basketball tournaments and hauling kids to ski slopes on weekends. I have several friends with January birthdays as well, not all the same friend group. With one, we've been trying to figure out a lunch get together, but her husband is battling a degenerative illness, and they have good days and bad days. Making firm plans other than day of does not work. Of my "birth friends" those I've known since we were born, two are widows (one remarried), and the third has a very ill husband. When I complain about life, thinking of what each has gone through is a good kick in the pants.
Long Work Days Ahead
This past week was brutal. Yesterday was an 11 hour day, full on brain power kind of day. Someday when I'm no longer employed, I'll better share what my job actually is, but in short, it's involves budgets, policy, and program implementation. Certain times a year are more busy than others, and I'm approaching that time frame that's the busiest. No one has a crystal ball what will eventually be approved, so we plan multiple budgets, multiple policy scenarios, and multiple launch action plans. Doe sit sound like a mess? Yes is the short answer, it is.
Feel free to join in any of these topics, or pick a whole new one. It's a Friday Free for All and let's share what's on our minds.
We are approaching a very busy time of year at my work as well, and I can't stop but cringe, thinking of all that time spent bickering about project funding & head count.
ReplyDeleteWe're looking forward to the boys later soccer game this evening (late enough that both M & I can attend) & will go to dinner afterward (outside). It's typically nice enough that you can still eat outside right now, as long as you are bundled & they have heaters.
This is the season everyone's fighting over scraps, and language, and reputation. I hate it. I know I won't get my son back. He's accustomed now to California weather.
DeleteAfter waking up to a surprise three inches of snow that was forecasted to be only a dusting, we’ve moved into the 3rd most snowiest January in Pittsburgh. Yay. It was -3 yesterday. They say it’s going to be 47 and sunny on Tuesday but I’ll believe it when I see it. The thing about Covid that is most baffling and frustrating is how it effects each person differently. My son developed a lingering wet cough that I was keeping a close eye on but has cleared up. I have ongoing fatigue and appetite issues that may or may not be related to another health issue I’m dealing with. My daughter keeps developing hive type rashes that come and go on different parts of her body at random times during the day. My brother turned 50 this month, I sent him a simple text and that was all. I deep deep cleaned the bathroom last week and boy did it need it. While things aren’t obviously messy here, there’s a lot to be caught up on. Do you play Wordle? I think you would like it. It’s a word guessing game, but you can only play once a day so you don’t waste too much time on it lol but challenge your brain a bit. I like to play in the morning and that’s my reminder to take my vitamins :) JoAnn
ReplyDeleteI never lost taste or smell. The cough thing stinks though. I saw the news of the bridge collapse. I know your weather can get brutal.
DeleteWow! I would freeze in your weather! I am not thrilled with the temps right now in the Deep South. Too cold for me. Re: work, I do understand about job stress. Although I am technically part time now, our jury trials keep getting pushed back because of positive Covid tests, and it will be a nightmare when we try to catch up. I think we will go nonstop from March until October, when I anticipate Covid will rear its ugly head again. I am thinking it will be worse in the winters but of course this is all just my speculation, and I could be completely wrong. It has really messed up our trial schedule the last two years. My colleagues who got very ill the first of January are better but still not 100 percent. The part time will be full time hours March through October, I am sure. Cindy in the South
ReplyDeleteIf the poor health care system could catch a break, then we'll just have to deal as an endemic, but when people can't get other care, it's still a crisis. I hope you get to keep your desired work schedule as long as possible.
DeleteIt's weird how covid seems to have affected us all differently. I never developed a cough at all (I got delta apparently). Either way I hope your daughter is doing better now!
ReplyDeleteShe is- she shared that she had the cough after I told her about mine. Neither of us lost taste or smell.
DeleteHow can you help but talk about Covid, it's everywhere right now. I'm sorry about the cough you and your daughter both developed, hope it goes away quickly. That freezing weather can't help much either! Have a fantastic Friday and a great weekend Sam. :)
ReplyDeleteHer's is gone and mines more nuisance. It really could be frozen throat muscles too!
DeleteI’m so thankful for the warm days when we have them. Your weather is bitter cold and I feel for you because it can be so miserable. My Dad in Chicago said the windchill was 23 below there the other day. I don’t miss that weather. I don’t want to rush summer though because it’s always so hot here.
ReplyDeleteIt was 25 and sunny when I got puppy walked and I loved it. We have the really hot days too, but not many.
DeleteHere on the East coast we're expecting a major nor'easter tonight! One-two feet of snow! Woo hoo (not)! I've got a new 1,000 piece puzzle going, just started knitting an afghan, am in the middle of a book (American Dirt), and have my pick of Netflix, Hulu and Hbo to watch!
ReplyDeleteMy husband had Covid first, and had mild cold symptoms. I followed him five days later, again with mild cold symptoms (no coughing at all). Until my day 5, when I started with the stomach part. That lasted over a week (but I lost four pounds!). I just say thank God I was vacinnated/boosted!
I hope you all do ok. We've not had too bad if storms, just consistent small amounts and then cold stretches. I too am grateful for my vaccine- who knows how this impacts any of us.
DeleteI am not going to complain about cold on learning what you live with. Hope you can rest during the weekend after such a busy day.
ReplyDeleteI've got my warm coat, but the exposed cheeks sure felt the really bad temps.
DeleteOur weather has been the same here, up and down but not often close enough to freezing to allow for any thaw to happen. I haven't been walking outdoors because of the cold, and I won't when the thaw/freeze happens either as I worry about falling.
ReplyDeleteI'm so grateful for being retired and don't miss the days of the year-end crunch when meetings were frequent and the time to get the work done was minimal. Good luck as you deal with the deadlines.
My SIL has just finished her bout with Covid. I haven't heard if she's had any long lasting effects. I hope you and your daughter are able to rid yourselves of the cough.
The freezing path is scary. I'm sure I'll fall on my butt more than once. Work really is stressful right now.
DeleteOther than just out and out exhaustion, everything here is the same. Although I did come to an ah ha moment today. I didn't like it either. If I want this house to truly stay clean, I have to do at least 1 hour of cleaning everyday, and guess what I just don't want to. Let the spider web hang... maybe?
ReplyDeleteI think you're allowed a down day or two. I'm going to try and be better with daily cleaning.
DeleteI should probably stop whining about our cold, since our 1-3 degrees (very cold for us) is only in the low 30s for you! It's a damp cold, though! :)
ReplyDeleteI've had friends also note that dry cough after having Covid. I've managed to avoid it (that I know of!) so far. Be kind to yourself on the cobwebs - spiders are good for catching flies and other insects!
Your work sounds complicated - work that taxes our brains can be so exhausting. I hope you can get those walking poles from your MIL so that you and pup can go for your walks.
Have a good weekend, Sam!
The damp cold is felt to the bones so you're entitled to complain. People over complicate things at work and too many hands without the right knowledge meddle.
DeleteThe weather here is back and forth. When the temp gets to freezing, I have had enough. I still am wearing sandals and no socks! And, I have not thought to find my gloves, yet. That slippery refrozen melt is scary for me. Be careful!
ReplyDeleteThat spider was probably a guard spider.
I find it hard to hear complaints about cold when people dress ridiculously for the weather.
Deletesorry to mention it.
DeleteMy sarcastic tone wasn't as light as I intended, but if a person is cold, best not to be bare footed.
DeleteI don't have any shoes or socks!
DeleteHope things at work slow down a bit for you soon.
ReplyDeleteThere should be lulls. There's a scramble right now. I will rest in lulls.
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